A Cameraphobe’s Guide to Making Sure to Never Be the Focus of a Camera || Taryn Daclison, FASA's 2023-2024 Co-Media Chair
Cameraphobe = someone with the fear of being in front of a camera and having their picture taken
Hello FASA,
It is I, Taryn, the person behind the camera who is always running around at events asking you to smile and pose. As my time on board is near the end, I can’t help but look back at how far I’ve come in this org as well as think about how nice it felt to not be the focus of a camera for a while. Now, I do realize the irony in giving tips on avoiding the camera while using photos of myself, but these are the ones out of thousands of photos that just happened to turn out good. So if you are like me and are a cameraphobe, then here are some steps that I took that I think can help prevent the inevitable photo of you lacking.
*Disclaimer* This is 100% NOT foolproof so I am not responsible for any photos that may catch you lacking (jk that probably was my fault lolz im sorry)
Step 1: Go to a FASA event
My first touch with FASA was at the beginning of freshman year, when the Filipino girl who lived down the hall from me at Markley texted me, asking if I was gonna go to FASA’s FAM/Lin event. I barely knew her, or much about FASA, but I was intrigued by the idea of a Filipino club so I said “I’ll go if you go.” The next thing I know a couple weeks later, she and I are walking to the event wondering if there was gonna be food and what the event was gonna be like. Little did I know that I ended up walking there with one of my future best friends, was sorted into the best FAM (shoutout $WAG), somehow missed the lineage sorting form, and was gonna get caught lacking.
Me + said girl from down the hall (aka Sofiaaaa) at FAM/Lin Reveal
Step 2: (if given the opportunity) Go to FACT
To be honest, I didn’t go to anything FASA related after FAM/LIN until FACT came around. I actually signed up to go at FAM/Lin with Sofia (the girl from down the hall) because going to UIUC for the weekend seemed like fun. I was honestly so excited to go to UIUC for the weekend but I was also extremely nervous because I didn’t know anyone else going except Sofia. But then she ended up getting sick and couldn’t go, so essentially I went to Illinois knowing NO ONE, but I wouldn’t change it for a thing. It was at FACT where I really got to know people in FASA and where I realized that FASA was something I truly wanted to be a part of.
I can’t believe freshman me got in a car with people I’ve never met before and went to UIUC
The freshmen room except I didn’t get put in the freshmen room. Still had a lot of fun though!!
Step 3: Integrate yourself into FASA
After FACT, I tried to go to as many events as I could and even applied to become an intern!!
But that didn’t really work out…
But (spoiler alert) everything ended up working out in the end! I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, and since I got rejected from being an intern, I was able to get to know more people in FASA at events and really enjoy the fun of being a general member.
During my active era:
I (finally) got sorted into a lineage, which I love so so so much and am quite literally obsessed with.
TIGGYYYY
I constantly had the freshmen over at my dorm before every afterset iykyk.
I went to Chicago for Battle, which really felt like a big giant sleepover with my friends.
Who would have ever thought that the FIRST co-media chairs would be in this car on the way home from battle
And I got to do so much more all while having fun and creating some of the best friendships I’ve ever had through FASA.
Like this one.
And this one.
How could I ever forget this one.
And most importantly this one.
Step 4: Run for Media Chair
The best way to ensure you won’t be in front of the camera is by being behind it all the time!
By the time election season was coming around, I was on the fence about running for board because I wasn’t sure if a) people knew who I was and b) if I was even qualified to do so. I was so hesitant and so secretive about it (and for what???) that I only told 3 people I was running. And even then, I told them I was running for either socials or externals, NOT media. After coffee chatting my media ates Emily and Michelle, I realized that I was just as qualified as everyone else to run for board, and that if I wanted my vision to come to life then I should run. So I did. And then I was able to avoid the camera for a year :)
Media Lin <33333 (also who let me wear cheetah print pants to elections???)
During my time as media chair I have gotten to see and capture moments where people are creating friendships or where they are finally connecting to their own culture, and it has been so fun to watch and be a part of. Truly this position was an opportunity I never knew I needed. Looking back at the beginning of my freshman year to now, I have grown so much creatively and as a leader. Not only that, but I have also learned so much about my culture and how I can let it be a significant part of my life. So because of that, being on board and being media chair will always hold a special place in my heart.
Step 5: Ummmm
So actually I don’t know what step comes next after being media chair, but that’s something for me to figure out now. But It’s looking like I’ll have to come up with a new plan for avoiding the camera.
All I know is that I owe A LOT to board. Thank you guys for being patient with me (and Kayla) when we turned you into impromptu models for board photo shoot. And then when you had to do it again another day for the group photo. Thank you for listening to us at the end of every board meeting when we were always the last to go. Thank you for all supporting and hyping us up in every creative endeavor we had. And thank you all for being such eager and hardworking people and for letting us be a part of each and every one of your events. I am so proud of everything that you all have accomplished and I hope you know that after our terms that we are not just fellow board members but friends as well.
My favorite impromptu models <3
And of course, I know I owe MUCH MORE to my wonderful co. Kayla, you have been such a rock for me this year and I don’t think I've thanked you enough for it. You pick up where I slack off and you push me to be more creative and a better co each and every day. Thank you so much for supporting my ideas and helping me bring them to life. Thank you for being patient with me and for always listening to my rants and ranting with me. You make me feel sane and seen :) On another note, thank you for always laughing at my jokes and telling me I’m funny. It always makes my day when you say that <3
And lastly, thank you FASA. You have been a community that will forever feel like family. It has been such a pleasure getting to capture FASA’s memories with my camera, and I can’t wait to see what the next media chairs do (it better not be catching me lacking).
With peace and love,
Taryn Alexis Denise Daclison <3














